Her Cultivation Diary-Chapter 1984 - 1745: Xue Ying’s Late Arrival

The rice noodles are freshly made this year.

White, soft, and bouncy; after boiling in water for over ten minutes, they’re especially chewy and pleasantly springy in the mouth.

But rice noodles don’t absorb flavors easily, so Seventh Uncle had already brewed chicken soup last night, freshly made chili oil, specially bought Old Chen vinegar, and crispy fried Huang Dou.

For a stronger flavor, you could scald some fresh mint leaves and shiso leaves together, and squeeze half a green lime over it...

Slurp!

As the group of three entered Lao Song’s courtyard, they couldn’t help but swallow a mouthful of saliva.

In the yard, Wu Lan hurriedly put away her phone stand.

She wasn’t live streaming, but was recording a special effects dance for Douyin, and just as she got ready, the guests arrived!

Oh dear, she had told Secretary Xiaozu, if the leaders had no place to go tomorrow morning, take them to pick peaches on the mountain first.

This place had never hosted any significant figures, how was she supposed to entertain such big leaders?

Thinking it over, she could only repeatedly invite them to sit down; the rice noodles weren’t ready yet, so she started placing everything from rice stalks to crispy Huang Dou and tender water caltrop on the table.

She also brought over a few tender chestnut branches that Qiaoqiao had picked yesterday.

The green, spiky big chestnut bags were placed on the table in a basket.

Seeing this, Song Tan almost burst out laughing.

Recognizing her mother’s helplessness, she had to muster the courage to step forward and socialize:

"The leaders are here? Director Wang, and this gentleman, do you eat spicy food?"

As she spoke, she handed the basket to Wu Lan.

Wu Lan was stunned for a moment before she reacted, and with her hands busy, she felt less nervous.

Skillfully, she took a big pair of scissors, picked a big chestnut bag, placed it under her foot, and with a gentle squeeze along the existing seam, gently twisted it to the side—

The full, smooth, milky white tender chestnut was revealed.

With nimble hands, she pulled out each chestnut, and while speaking, she didn’t forget to talk up her family’s food:

"Our freshly made chili oil is exceptionally fragrant. If you don’t eat spicy, start with half a bowl of clear soup and add some chili oil at the end to try the difference. The flavor with chili and without is entirely different..."

She wasn’t skilled at talking about anything else, but when it came to food, how could she be lacking?

Enthusiastically, she handed out the freshly cracked chestnut to each person:

"The chestnut meat is tender now, and the skin is tender too, you can peel it off easily. Try it! It’s tender, sweet, and easy to chew... even better than water caltrop!"

The leaders: ...

They were looking forward to the sour and spicy aroma of the rice noodles filling the courtyard, yet their hands were abruptly stuffed with something.

Gazing at the round chubby chestnut, the leaders, as if they couldn’t refuse the hospitality, silently peeled it.

At this season, the chestnut’s skin was easiest to peel, bringing the soft middle layer off intact.

The tender yellow chestnut lay in the palm, a gentle bite, and it was both crisp and tender, followed by an explosion of sweet juice.

Though not particularly juicy, it was exceptionally refreshing to chew!

As they were eating, Secretary Xiaozu hurriedly rushed over, catching the aroma before even entering the courtyard and said first:

"I want two bowls! I’ll add the chili oil myself!"

Then, pausing, she saw the leaders who had arrived before her.

The leaders looked at her.

They didn’t know Secretary Xiaozu had battled until dawn to finish a report, only that she seemed full of energy and enthusiasm, with a vibrant face and a hearty appetite...

Secretary Xiaozu: ...

She instinctively touched her face, then eagerly stepped forward:

"Let me serve, let me serve..."

With her around, Wu Lan only needed to focus on peeling chestnuts, and Song Tan could pay attention to the meals, making things much easier.

Qiaoqiao rushed downstairs, "Mom, a few brothers have invited me to play table tennis, I’ll eat after I’m back!"

Seventh Uncle looked up at him, "Drink more water!"

He didn’t insist on eating first; it might not be good for him to jump around with a full stomach during intense playing later on.

Seventh Grandma smiled, "Tantan was thoughtful, inviting these few students over just to let them eat and drink, it didn’t cost much. But you can see how happy the kids are..."

Yes indeed.

Song Tan also noticed the difference.

The kids from Yun Feng and the other two families, although Qiaoqiao took care of them, had a big brother vibe, more duty-driven than fun.

In contrast, the simple and clear-minded university students were a joyful company for Qiaoqiao...

This was money well-spent!

If not busy next week, invite them again!

But thinking again, leisure wasn’t likely; with fruits maturing sequentially, there’s a lot happening in the mountains!

Well, maybe the week after next...

The leaders got a hint of something from this conversation, but the enticing aroma of the rice noodles was captivating, and Secretary Wang had already tossed in the mint and shiso leaves, stirring in the chili oil as well.

Looking at Driver Niu...

He had already started slurping, immediately breaking into a sweat from the warmth, but still unwilling to stop, mumbling:

"This bean is so crispy and fragrant!"

...

Meanwhile, the university students came down from the mountain canteen, and a girl clenched a small milk bun the size of her palm, stuffing it into her mouth quickly, making it disappear.

Soft, airy, full of milky fragrance, with high-quality ingredients. The issue is—

Everyone patted their bellies, sighed in disappointment: Maybe two bites are just a base, such a small portion just barely counts as a filler for them.

But thinking further, more food would be ready in two or three hours, and this anticipation was also quite delightful!

Especially since the villagers did a lot of physical work, consuming a lot of energy, except for the midnight snack and this light breakfast, all other meals were solid and substantial, making them even more anticipated!

Still not seeing Qiaoqiao, when a car with Ning City plates drove up, inside, Huo Xueying was quite regretful:

"It’s all my fault for being so careless..."

They should have arrived last night, but after buying a gold pendant, somehow left it in the mall, and realized it in the car, causing a big hassle going back...

By the time they thought of coming over at night, it would mean Song Tan hosting them at dawn.

Both were annoyed but decided to bite the bullet, waking up at dawn and driving over—

"Wait!"

Zheng Qu suddenly stopped the car, seeing another car with Ning City plates in the parking lot:

"This license plate looks familiar..."

Huo Xueying, sleepy, glanced over: "There are several more from Ning City over there, it’s nothing special... hurry up, Song Tan said they’re having cooked rice noodles for breakfast! Sour and spicy, super appetizing!"

Zheng Qu thought so too, looking back at the trunk, feeling a bit regretful: "I should have brought those plastic crates instead, these big baskets bought by the roadside are too conspicuous..."